Sebastian K: A small town covered as a big city
Aktualisiert: 8. Aug.
Hola and buenos días from Barcelona! As I'm writing this, I'm sitting in my co-working space in the center of Barcelona, sipping by far the best coffee I have ever had.
The "general things"
I work here as a photographer with three other students, photographing other Erasmus+ students doing their work at very different companies: a few are working in hostels or hotels, others in boat-trip companies, and yet others in marketing agencies. When I first heard about Erasmus+, I was a bit nervous. But to say it upfront: it was one of the best decisions so far.
"Hype-Barcelona" vs. "real-Barcelona"
Social media is great for planning trips and getting a first overview of a city, or of a place in general. But what social media doesn't show you is the real life, the real people, and the real feeling here. If you stay here in a hotel for a few days, you probably won't get it — if you live here in a small town, a bit away from the city, you probably will. Don't get me wrong: the Sagrada Família, the beach, or the mountain (whose name I don't know right now) are beautiful, but the real beauty begins when you live the city and interact with the people there. You get to know places that aren't crowded but are all the more beautiful. All of a sudden you're eating in places that look tiny and old from the outside but serve you the best food ever! Or you drive to a small town outside the city and see (hopefully) the most beautiful beach ever (I'm doing this today, and I'm very curious).
My accommodation
As I said earlier, I'm here with a bunch of other students. We're all in the same apartment, a bit away from the city. As a non-local, you'd probably say it's in Barcelona, but a local would tell you it's not Barcelona — it's a small town next to Barcelona. And I think you realize it once you're there: the food is cheaper, there are fewer tourists, and it's all in all a bit calmer than in the crowded city. I think it's nice here because you really get the feeling of being a local. You have to shop for groceries, you have to do your own laundry...
Don't let everyday life get you
It's okay if you just skim through my text — BUT — this part here is probably important. I've had to learn this too: don't just get up, work, go home, and sleep. Do something new every day, talk to new people (just talk to the Indian guy at the "supermercat" — they're very chill, probably). Talk to the barista who makes your coffee. Because when you do this, they won't see you as a tourist, they'll see you as a person — as a local (I know it sounds funny, but it's true). Don't just be a tourist, be a traveler, and find joy in everything.
